Protect mail carriers from pet attacks

Pet owners’ efforts are critical when you consider the number of Postal Service employees attacked by dogs last year reached 6,755 — over 200 more than the year before. In the Lexington Post Office area, there were 10 incidents last year and three dog attacks so far this year. Here are three ways pet owners can help.

If a letter carrier delivers mail or packages to your door, secure your dog in a separate room before opening the front door. Dogs have been known to burst through screen doors or plate-glass windows to attack visitors.

Parents should remind children and other family members not to take mail directly from letter carriers in the presence of the family pet because the dog may view that as a threatening gesture by the carrier.

The Postal Service makes the safety of its employees a top priority. If a letter carrier feels threatened by a dog or if a dog is loose or unleashed, the owner may be asked to pick up mail at a post office until the carrier is assured the pet has been restrained. If the dog is roaming the neighborhood, the pet owner’s neighbors also may be asked to pick up their mail at a post office.

Together, we can safeguard all from unnecessary and potentially devastating dog attacks.

This story was originally published June 7, 2017 at 8:35 PM with the headline "Protect mail carriers from pet attacks."